Dastkari Haat Craft Bazaar begins in Delhi from Jan 1

December 18, 2013 (India)

The Dastkari Haat Samiti’s annual crafts bazaar at Dilli Haat, INA, conceived by its President and craft expert Jaya Jaitly, will create a vibrant and colourful atmosphere as it celebrates its 28th Anniversary.

More than 160 craftspeople from the villages, towns and cities of various parts of India will bring exciting craft talent and traditions in never-seen-before avatars along with wonderful craft skills from Egypt’s great and artistic civilization. Visitors will be able to interact, learn, appreciate and explore Indian and Egyptian handicrafts and textiles.

Craftspersons from Egypt have been invited to collaborate with Dastkari Haat Samiti which will conduct a skill training and exchange workshop of the same genre. The entire fortnight’s collaboration will result in long term friendships and provide unique inputs to the crafts sector while enhancing economic well being and diplomatic ties at the ground level.

Egyptian’s embroidery tradition has evolved, like India’s over 5000 years. Motifs are specialized according to regions. Each can be adapted according to any new design prototypes provided by good designers.

Hand-woven cloths in cotton are preferred for executing embroidery. East Asian links and Moghul influences have been imbibed in both India and Egypt.

Folk music from Rajasthan, folk dance such as Kalbelia, Langa, Bhavai will be the main attraction.

With an eclectic mix of national-awardees and artisans-in-training, the Samiti’s artisan-members are stars in their own right. The opportunity provided by the Samiti has enabled many members to travel across the globe and collaborate with artisans in other developing nations, creating products that are utility-based and market-friendly.

Dastkari Haat Samiti and Dilli Haat were founded by Ms Jaya Jaitly, a renowned social and political activist who has dedicated four decades of her life and career to crafts and innovating newer ways to sustain craft and its people.

Ms. Jaitly and the Samiti have constantly challenged markets and created niche markets, enabling safe space for craftspeople and hence the dignity they truly deserve as producers and conservationists of India’s rich heritage.